“DISPATCHES”
JANUARY 2012
Well
Christmas has come and gone for another year and I hope all of you had a
peaceful and merry one!
Now we’re heading into 2012… and who
knows what the future holds for all of us. But what I do know is what K&C are
releasing in January and February… So here goes…
APPEARING
IN JANUARY 2012…
A.
“Return
to
As previewed in December’s “DISPATCHES”
here are six all-new French Infantry-of-the-Line to add extra depth, colour and numbers to the Emperor’s Army at
NA243 “FLI Standing Firing”
NA244 “FLI Biting Cartridge”
NA245 “FLI Loading from Pouch”
NA246 “FLI Standing Ready”
NA247 “FLI Preparing to Repel”
NA248 “FLI Kneeling Firing”
AVAILABLE:
Now!
B.
“DESTINATION
TOBRUK!”
“The
Desert War” fought between 1940 and 1943 in the
harsh, unyielding environment of North Africa is one of K&C’s most
collected ranges…British, Empire and Free French and, of course, Rommel’s Afrika Korps.
These latest add-ons are sure to
please quite a few of the fans of K&C’s “Desert Rats”…
EA058 “The M7 Priest” (British version)
Ninety of these 105mm-armed assault
guns were dispatched to North Africa early in 1942… many of these were modified
by the British with side skirts… some were not… this is one of the latter.
Our vehicle includes a commander figure.
EA061 “M7 Priest Crew” (add-ons)
Two add-on gunners that can operate
the American 105.
Following the success of our earlier
released Free French Foreign Legion “parade” figures we decided
to add some more. And here are the first ones…
EA063 “Foreign Legion Marching w/Rifle”
EA064 “FL Marching w/ Light Machine Gun”
A Legionnaire carries the formidable
(and heavy) 7.5mm FM24/29 Machine Gun.
EA065 “FL Marching NCO w/ Tommy Gun”
In the Legion it was the Non-Commissioned
Officers who carried the sub-machine guns. Our NCO carries the 1928
Thompson.
AVAILABLE: Now!
From De Gaulle’s Free French
Foreign Legion troops we move across the desert sands to… The “Diggers”
EA062 “Morris CS8 British 15cwt. Truck”
A familiar sight to all British and
Empire forces this little truck is in 6th Australian Infantry
Division markings and comes with an Aussie driver.
Special
Note: This 15cwt truck is a “Series
250” release.
EA067 “Aussie Officer w/Binos”
Tommy-gun in one hand and Binos in the other this typical Aussie prepares for
battle.
EA068 “Aussie Sergeant w/ Tommy-Gun”
This NCO is leading a fighting
patrol out into “No Man’s Land”.
EA069 “Aussie Bren Gunner”
The Bren Light Machine Gun
was one of the mainstays of the British and Empire forces. Our Aussie
has it slung over his shoulder.
EA070 “Aussie Advancing w/ Rifle”
With slouch-hat on head and bayonet
fixed this particular Aussie is ready for a fight.
EA071 “Aussie on Guard”
EA072 “Bringing up Supplies”
A “Digger” and his pack mule
bring up extra ammo to the front line. A great little set!
EA073 “Aussie w/Rifle at the Trail”
Another member of the fighting
patrol.
EA074 “Dead Afrika Korps”
AVAILABLE:
Mid-January
C.
“THE
ONE THAT GOT AWAY”
A unique version of the Me.109…
this crash- landed 109 belongs to Franz Von Werra, the only German pilot
to successfully escape from Allied captivity and finally make it back to
Germany in early 1941. Von Werra made a successful “wheels-up” landing
in
LW045 “Franz von Werra’s Me 109”
Just 250
of this model are being made.
FOB071 “Standing Bobby”
Another of the member of the “Constabulary”
going about his daily duty.
FOB076 “Tommy on Guard”
This “Tom” (Standard
British infantryman) on guard duty… outside a barracks or next to a downed
Messerschmitt… you choose!
FOB078 “Prisoner & Escort”
A wounded Von Werra being
assisted by another British soldier.
AVAILABLE:
Mid-January
D.
“Ancient
A brand-new Sphinx… when we retired
the last version we did not realize how useful or requested this item would be.
So, we’ve come up with an all-new version.
AE046 “Sphinx”
AVAILABLE:
Now!
E.
“The
Fall of
On
February 15,1942,
So, why
remember it? Or even commemorate the fateful anniversary? Well it’s always easy to celebrate victories… but it’s just
as important to remember defeats and learn from them important lessons. Too
often defeats and setbacks can be easily forgotten and overlooked in history
but this particular defeat taught the British (and others) many valuable
lessons in how to fight and eventually defeat the seemingly invincible
Japanese.
It also threw up one of the iconic
photo images of WW2…. The Surrender Party of tall, lean British officers
carrying a white flag and the Union Jack making their way to meet their
Japanese opponents’ commander, General Yamashita at the Ford
Motor Factory on the outskirts of the city of
K&C has produced two small
unique sets to mark the 70th. Anniversary of that fateful day
on February 15, 1942…
FOB079 “
Three senior British officers, two
with flags, advance towards the Japanese lines.
FOB080 “General Yamashita and Major Sugita”
Japanese commander, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the “Tiger of Malaya,”
together with his interpreter Major Sugita.
AVAILABLE:
Mid to Late January
F.
“Moving
Burdens”
This little cart pulled by two oxen
was originally designed for K&C’s “Life of Jesus” series however, as
you can see from some photos, it can be utilized in a wide variety of historic
eras and times…
LOJ020 “The Ox Cart”
AVAILABLE:
Mid to Late January
2. COMING
IN FEBRUARY
Chinese
New Year takes place in and around February
so we like to spring a few surprises to liven up the proceedings… so here are
some things you might have seen… and a few you have not!
A.
“Napoleon
ventures deeper into
Four more additions to this colourful series which is proving to be one of K&C’s
most popular…
NE011 “Mounted Infantryman?”
This generally-proportioned soldier
has decided to make use of a local donkey to carry him into battle…
NE013 “The Laughing Drummer Boy”
This young lad is much amused by the
antics of his donkey-riding comrade.
NE016 “Standing Napoleon”
Another study of the young General
Bonaparte based on an original painting by famed military and historical artist
Jean-Leon GEROME.
NE017 “Watching French Officer”
This casually- dressed officer of Guides,
hands clasped behind his back, observes the wonders of Ancient
AVAILABLE:
Early February
B.
“DANGER
UXB!”
“Danger
UXB” stands
for “ Danger Unexploded Bomb” and was also the title of a popular
British television drama series of the late 1970’s. The series told the story
of a group of Royal Engineers tasked with the difficult and highly
dangerous job of defusing unexploded bombs dropped by Goering’s Luftwaffe
on British cities during the Blitz and afterwards.
Thanks to the assistance of one of
K&C’s most loyal
FoB069 “Bomb Disposal Tilly”
Among the vehicles most used by the
UXB teams was the little Austin “Tilly”.
This latest “Series 250” version has a new paint-scheme, with the
bright red mudguards of all bomb disposal vehicles and… a male Royal
Engineers “Sapper” driver.
Just 250
have been produced.
FoB072 “Danger UXB”
A Kneeling Royal Engineers
officer closely examines an unexploded German bomb. Note the “bomb disposal”
badge on his left sleeve.
FoB073 “Sapper Sergeant”
A standing R.E. sergeant,
hands clasped behind his back, observes his officer at work.
FoB074 “Sappers at work”
As one of the Engineers listens on
his head set to any “ticking” of the bomb timing mechanism the other, in
shirt sleeves, goes forward to clear some more debris away from the bomb site.
FoB075 “Blitz Police Constable”
Holding a sign in one hand warning
the public this constable prevents curious onlookers from getting too near the
bomb-site.
AVAILABLE:
Early February
C.
“SOMEWHERE
IN
The War in the
AK085 “Daimler Dingo Armoured Car (Afrika Korps version)” Series 250
As most AK collectors already know
Rommel’s forces were always drastically short of men, vehicles and supplies.
However they were very adept at making much use of captured enemy vehicles,
weapons and equipment whenever and wherever they could lay their hands on them…
This former British vehicles
although well-used and battle-weary has received large, prominent German
crosses painted on it as well as a Nazi swastika flag pinned on top of its rear
engine cover for aircraft recognition purposes.
The model also includes an Afrika Korps driver
as well as a separate MG34 machine gun.
AK086 “General Ludwig Cruwell”
Ludwig Cruwell was
a senior Afrika Korps
general under Erwin Rommel. Awarded the Knight’s Cross with Oak
Leaves for bravery, he was captured by the British when his spotter plane
mistook British troops for Italian soldiers and landed near them by mistake.
AK087 “AK Photographer”
This AK soldier captures a “moment
in time”.
AK088 “AK Feldwebel”
AK089 “AK Hot and Thirsty”
This panzer officer is feeling the
heat!
AK090 “AK Rifleman”
AVAILABLE:
Early February
D.
“KRIEGSMARINE
ON PARADE”
One of the unexpected but great
surprises of our “
LAH158 “KM Drum Major”
LAH159 “KM Drummer”
LAH160 “KM Fifer”
LAH161 “KM Singing Sailor”
Belting out a traditional German
marching song as he parades by.
LAH162 “KM Kettle Drummer”
LAH163 “KM Naval Trumpeter”
AVAILABLE:
Mid February
E.
“A
Few More French Crusaders”
As promised here are three more
additions to our French Crusaders…
MK086 “Mounted Templar d rawing
Sword”
MK087 “French Knight with Lance”
Lowering his lance and preparing to
do battle…
MK089 “Sergeant-at-Arms w/ double-handed Sword”
AVAILABLE:
Late February/ Early March
3. “BEING
RETIRED”
As usual,
these days, a fair number of retirals to help make
way for the newer releases… If you like ‘em – grab ‘em! They are great value!
AK059 “Control Tower”
AL006 “Dismounted Australian Lighthorseman”
BBG038 “Gun Crew Set No.1”
BBG046 “Gun Crew Set No.2”
HK077 “The Street Book Seller Set”
MK043 “Saracen w/ Lance Down”
MK044 “Saracen w/ Lance Up”
RAF010 “MG Sports Car Set”
WS136 “General & Adjutant”
WS137 “Discussing the War”
WS142 “ Cossack Feldgendarmerie with
Prisoner”
WS143 “Mounted Cossack Officer w/ Sword”
WS144 “Mounted Cossack Scout”
WS145 “Mounted Cossack Holding Rifle (Looking Right)”
WS146 “Mounted Cossack Holding Rifle (Looking Left)”
WS147 “Standing Cossack and Horse”
WS148 “Mounted Cossack Pointing”
WS149 “Dismounted Cossack NCO”
WS150 “General Helmut Von Pannwitz”
And that my friends… is that for
another month. Once more, I hope you had a joyful Christmas and let’s all hope
for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year… All the very best!
Andy C. Neilson
Co- Founder & Creative Director
King & Country